Joanna Newsom played Webster Hall in NYC

You missed out, BV. I caught the early show and it was fantastical. She played a total of four tracks from Milk-Eyed Mender (including Sadie), a Scottish folk song, and Ys beginning to end. I was dumbstruck. The live band was remarkable. They really made Ys come to life. In fact, I think I like the sound of the live performance better than the fully orchestrated recording.

yesterday was like a parade of people coming in to the record shop for her album who had seen her at Webster and just couldn't get over how amazing she was.

Yes, the show was immaculate start to finish.

I had my doubts after the last time I saw her, which was nice but also sort of a let down, so I understand your ambivalence BV. Maybe it was the crowd or that it was McCarren Pool.

HOWEVER, I went to the second show at Webster and this show, THIS SHOW, was completely amazing. I started with the same vibe as the last show but by the end of the set in which she closed with two of her best songs (Sadie, Peach Plum Pear) I was blown away. Also props to one of the best crowds I have ever been privileged enough to be a part of (nice to see Mike Meyers was a part as well), you could hear a pin drop.

i love that hat.

"nice to see Mike Meyers was a part as well"

Why is that?

i don't know - i love joanna newsom, but i didn't go - i have seen her before, and it was great. no need to be apologetic! it's hard to be everywhere at once.

i don't know - i love joanna newsom, but i didn't go - i have seen her before, and it was great. no need to be apologetic! it's hard to be everywhere at once.

It was a fantastic show. I think it's the type of performance better suited to take place in a theatre type place with seating, but what the hell. It was great. Except for the opening band, P.G. Six. Not only did the guy play for way too long, but it was so goddam boring I couldn't take it. He almost made up for it when he had two girls come out and do a cover of The Band's "Whispering Pines" But really there shouldn't have even been an opening band at that show. I guess sometimes you have to endure some pain to get some pleasure.

p.g. six is a great band and an excellent choice for an opener.

if you don't want to see it, just plan on being there later. it's not like webster hall shows will go past your bedtime.

"'nice to see Mike Meyers was a part as well'

Why is that?"

'Cuz it may mean he's getting over getting divorced by his then-wife.

I kinda have to agree with Brian. I thought PG Six was pretty darn boring, and I have a pretty open mind towards opening bands. The band came off a little too loud, the vocals were terribly flat and delivered with little emotion, and the lyrics were kinda hum-drum. Maybe if I knew their songs? I think what made it come off even worse was the expectation of wonderfulness to come (read: Joanna Newsom). Anyway, the guitarist was actually pretty dang good, busting out some nice, melodic solos. Otherwise, I could have done without them.

What was really odd is that I saw PG Six open for Slint during the Slint reunion tour thingy and their opening set at that show was so quiet that they were almost entirely ignored. Of course that made no sense at all, considering they were opening for a rock band in that case. So they played quiet to a rock audience and rock to a quiet audience. Wrong move.

comments gone so soon?

"Why is that?"

'Cuz it may mean he's getting over getting divorced by his then-wife."

No, it probably means having celebrity liking a band validifies someone's opinion that a band is good. Low self-esteem.

"well I think they are great because Pitchfork told me so, but now I am convinced since Mike Myers likes them too"

it really shows when an artist,enjoys what he or she does; The art world is truly a amazing place when you people who care,,,,,

fspolluter.com

check this miami band out

This was the third time that I have gotten to see her live. This was by far the best show. McCarren Pool just wasn't a good venue for her type of music. She should be playing Merkin, or concert halls with seating and good acoustics. Webster Hall sucks.

The "band" she played with the other night was amazing. This [early show] might have been the best show I have ever seen, despite the sound. (If you are in the front, against the stage, in Webster Hall you are too far forward to get the full sound of the speakers which are now behind you...Plus there was a fan of some sort making a racket from behind the stage.)

Ys is my pick for best album of the year. I think it far surpases Milk-Eyed Mender. I can't wait to see what she does next...but I guess we will have to wait a while. I've been listening to the leaked version for months...but after the show I purchased a t-shirt and a new CD.

I would love it if she released a live version of the album the way it was played the other night. I preferred it to the pre-recorded orchestral version (which is just as good, but different).

I agree that a live version of the album is in order! I love the album, but I have to say that the Balkan-esque sound the band brought to those songs entranced me, whereas the string arrangements on the album are nice, but occasionally get in the way a bit. This felt more organic, more cohesive.

All in all, an absolutely fantastic show. Anyone else notice how she changed the lyrics in Peach, Plum, Pear (I *was* blue) and then ended it with a nice major chord, instead of the definite minor chord on the album? I feel like that was a statement.

And yeah. Have to agree about P.G. Six, too. I read up on him beforehand and was certainly disappointed. So bland.

She certainly has talent, and I hate to rain on the love parade, but I don't understand ALL the accolades. Maybe I'm missing something, but album of the year?

Don't get me wrong, great songs, incredible voice, amazing arrangements. It all sounds a lot like... Bjork. That's not a band thing. But I can't help but feel the barnacles on the indie hype machine have found a new ship to latch onto.

Was she selling the 2xLp (vinyl) version of Ys last night or just the CD?

Matt, I didn't see the 2xLP version of the album on the merch table on Monday. How the hell is that sequenced anyway? 5 long songs on four vinyl sides? Kooky.

I loved the first album. I think the new album is a big step backwards. So precious and desperately trying to be different. If she's going to leave melody and good songwriting behind and solely concentrate on storytelling, maybe she should get into poetry. Not to put poetry and literature down, I'm just much more interested in good music. She is very talented without a doubt, but I did not feel the show on Monday. She did not show the range of her harp playing either. If this is her second album, then the fifth might be unlistenable. I hope she will change her direction. For fans of 15+ minute pieces, I also recommend checking out pretty much anything on the ECM label. You will find much better music there.

You people serious? You're really analyzing the fact that I thought it was neat that I saw Mike Meyers at a show I would have loved anyway? What's wrong with you? He's Mike Meyers, he's great, it was an added bonus. Bitter retards.

You people serious? You're really analyzing the fact that I thought it was neat that I saw Mike Meyers at a show I would have loved anyway? What's wrong with you? He's Mike Meyers, he's great, it was an added bonus. It certainly wouldn't make me like a artist more to know that a 40-year old comedian liked them. Bitter retards.

"I loved the first album. I think the new album is a big step backwards. So precious and desperately trying to be different. If she's going to leave melody and good songwriting behind and solely concentrate on storytelling, maybe she should get into poetry. Not to put poetry and literature down, I'm just much more interested in good music. She is very talented without a doubt, but I did not feel the show on Monday. She did not show the range of her harp playing either. If this is her second album, then the fifth might be unlistenable. I hope she will change her direction. For fans of 15+ minute pieces, I also recommend checking out pretty much anything on the ECM label. You will find much better music there."

CHEERS TO THIS COMMENT.
majorly majorly step backwards.

What do you think of the recent pictures of her with an animal pelt on her head ?

What do you think of the recent pictures of her with an animal pelt on her head ?

What do you think of the recent pictures of her with an animal pelt on her head ?

makes me like her even less, which I didn't think was possible

I say pitckfork just feels guilty because they leaked it.

It's a thick album with lots of drippy strings and plucky vocals. I'm not surprised that most people aren't giving it the time of day, especially since her last one was cute and playful enough for her to get away with coupling a harpsichord and that voice.

but I can't stop listening to it. I have withdrawals from it when I leave it. Yellow House is the only other album that does that to me this year.

I may be the only Joanna Newsom hater.

The show really was fucking fantastic. I caught the late one and the crowd was amazing. A really unexpected mix of people and packed together tight but really well behaved and respectful. I'd love to see her in a more intimate venue sometime too.

the hat bothers me.

You might not be the only one Anonymous. I just listened to 16 minutes of a boring Joanna Newsome song.